August 6, 2015


Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

I hope everyone is having a great summer and was able to beat the heat this past weekend! This week's e-update highlights the five year anniversary of Wisconsin's smoke-free workplace law, ongoing problems with Gov. Walker's Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, news coverage across the state, summer activities and events, Wisconsin DNR news, and a new business of the week.

 

I hope you find this information helpful, and don't forget to get out and enjoy all of the fun upcoming events in western Wisconsin.

 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

 

     
 

 

Weekly Democratic radio address: "Celebrating five years of a smoke-free Wisconsin"   

This last week Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) offered the weekly radio address. In his radio message, Sen. Risser highlighted the five year anniversary of Wisconsin's smoke-free workplace law.

"There is no substitute for clean indoor air and the smoke-free air law has been positive for business owners, employees and customers alike." - Sen. Fred Risser

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here: http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen26/risserradio7.30.15.mp3

Thank you to State Senator Fred Risser and all of the supporters who helped to pass Wisconsin's Smoke-Free Workplace law five years ago. I was proud to support this important bipartisan bill which has helped to protect our clean air, increase business at local bars and restaurants, and reduce health care costs for families and taxpayers. Happy ‪#‎wismokefree‬ anniversary!
 

Senate Democrats unveil new legislative website

Wisconsin residents will now have an easier time finding information on state legislative activity thanks to the Senate Democrats' newly unveiled website. Through the updated website, members of the public will be able to learn more about Senate Democratic proposals, track state legislation, view the latest news releases, subscribe to email updates and more.

Keeping local residents informed and engaged in our public policy discussions has always been a top priority for legislative Democrats. We are always looking for new ways to stay connected with residents and make it easier for families across Wisconsin to know what is happening in their State Capitol. I encourage everyone to visit our new website and share their ideas on how Senate Democrats can help invest in Wisconsin's shared values and move our state forward.

Residents can visit the new site at http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/democrats.
 

Walker jobs agency “in disarray”
As Governor Walker continues to travel across the country pursuing his presidential ambitions, more questions are being raised about his flagship jobs agency amid shocking new reports of cronyism, financial mismanagement and potential corruption. In mid-May, the Wisconsin State Journal revealed that Gov. Walker’s top aides pushed for millions in unsecured loans to one of the Governor’s top campaign contributors. Following that story, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that WEDC officials plotted to steer taxpayer dollars to another Republican campaign contributor even after learning that the business owned by that contributor had provided falsified and misleading information.

After months of troubling news stories, questions about improper use of taxpayer dollars and failed performance audits, the Associated Press has declared that Gov. Scott Walker’s WEDC is "in disarray.”

The ongoing corruption and mismanagement at the WEDC is a black eye for our state. I understand that Gov. Walker wants to focus on his presidential campaign but the legislature has a responsibility to look out for Wisconsin taxpayers.

Democrats have called for greater accountability at the WEDC to prevent additional waste, fraud and abuse that have been identified in multiple audits. Three weeks ago, Senate Democrats introduced a proposal that would have strengthened accountability, prevented outsourcing and required WEDC employees to report fraudulent activity to law enforcement authorities. The proposal was rejected by Senate Republicans on a 19-14 party-line vote.

It’s hard to believe that the corruption and potential criminal violations that have been exposed at the WEDC are isolated incidents. Senate Republicans should stop selling out Wisconsin families to protect the special interest donors behind Gov. Walker’s presidential campaign. It’s time to take action to correct these problems and prevent the WEDC from spiraling further out of control.

News Across the State

La Crosse Tribune: Our view - GOP wrong to dismantle elections board
Nobody cheers for the referee. We want the game to be fair, and we boo the refs whenever we think our side is being mistreated. But it’s hard to imagine eliminating the referees and expecting anyone will uphold the rules of the game in a neutral fashion. –Read Full Article

Beloit Daily News: Citizens loud on records – Loudenbeck’s office flooded by complaints
After her vote as a member of the Joint Committee on Finance to restrict public access to government records, Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, received nearly 200 emails from her constituents and citizens across the state. –Read Full Article

The Chippewa Herald: Republicans propose eliminating legislators from WEDC Board
Two GOP lawmakers want to remove themselves and their Democratic counterparts from the board of the state’s troubled job-creation agency. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: State finances a head scratcher? Here’s some budget clarity
As Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker runs for president on his history of balancing budgets, everyone from Democrats to Donald Trump is taking shots at his record on financial responsibility. Here's a checkup on Wisconsin's fiscal health and the two-year state budget signed by the Republican governor. -Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scott Walker’s office pushed for language to gut open records law
Gov. Scott Walker's office pushed to add language into the attempted overhaul of Wisconsin's open records law that would have shielded briefings, discussions about policy drafts and other "deliberative" documents, newly released documents show. – Read Full Article

Wisconsin State Journal: Email links Scott Walker to open records changes
Gov. Scott Walker’s office was a key player in drafting legislation that would have exempted from public scrutiny government materials considered part of a “deliberative process,” newly released documents suggest. –Read Full Article

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Troubled firm that received state loan now under criminal scrutiny
A troubled De Pere company is facing scrutiny from law enforcement after not disclosing its financial problems to the state and receiving $1.2 million in state incentives. -Read Full Article

La Crosse Tribune: More trouble than jobs at economic agency Walker championed
After declaring an economic emergency, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s newly created economic development agency backed a plan to turn dirty plastic forks and ketchup-stained napkins into jobs. -Read Full Article

Lake Country Now: 35 local principals sign letter to Gov. Walker, legislature over less funding, local control
Nearly three dozen southern Wisconsin high school principals have taken pen to paper to convey a message to Madison that they're not happy with decisions being made that are affecting public education, including reduced state funding of schools and a decrease in local control. –Read Full Article

 

National Health Center Week: August 9-15, 2015

Health Centers serve over 23 million Americans through more than 9,200 delivery sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. One in every fifteen people living in the United States depends on their services. Health Centers deliver high quality, cost effective, accessible care while serving as critical economic engines helping to power local economies.

In addition to their long history as health care homes to millions, Health Centers are also proud to celebrate 50 years of service and continue to be ranked among the highest quality and cost effective care providers in the nation. Health Centers provide their services to all people, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.

Join Scenic Bluffs Health Center on Wednesday, August 12th as they host a farmer's market in their Cashton location's parking lot as they celebrate National Health Center Week!

Local Business of the Week!

I always enjoy visiting locally owned businesses throughout the 32nd Senate District and will be highlighting a different local business in each e-update. This week's featured business is the Apothik Food Truck!

Owner of Grounded Specialty Coffee in downtown La Crosse, Maria Norberg is exploring new ventures in the form of a food truck. The food truck will focus on the importance of supporting local businesses and farmers and will have a menu that is constantly changing to reflect the seasons and availability of local produce and ingredients. If you've been in downtown La Crosse lately, you've probably seen their truck will be located at Third and Main and you can check out their website for their weekly schedule.

Stop by Apothik Food Truck for lunch or contact them for catering your next event!  

 Summer in Wisconsin!

Did you know that during the late 1950's there were 79 drive-in movie theaters across Wisconsin? Now there are only ten left in Wisconsin and Discover Wisconsin recently highlighted these unique theaters.

If this sounds like something you want to cross off your summer bucket list you are in luck because there is a drive-in theater in nearby Richland Center!

 

Safe Crossing - Opening Ceremony for the New Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
The City of La Crosse is hosting an opening ceremony for the new bike/pedestrian bridge in North La Crosse next week. The proclamation presented by La Crosse Mayor, Tim Kabat details the spirit of collaboration, partnership, and passion for the outdoors and nature.

Mayor Kabat proclaims that Thursday, August 6, 2015 will be "Bud Hendrickson Nature Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Day. The ribbon cutting event will began at noon at Hamilton and North Salem Road.

The Proclamation reads: "...From the time he was a young boy until his passing in 2014, Bud Hendrickson had a love for nature and the outdoors. Bud developed a trail through the marschlands near his home on the City's Northside so others could observe the wildlife and beautiful scenery. In 2004, the City of La Crosse Common Council authorized the naming of the nature trail behind Bud's home, the Bud Hendrickson Nature Trail in honor of Bud and the 50-plus years he worked on the trial to help keep it open. In order to expand the trail, Dairyland Power donated land to the City; Burlington Northern Sante Fe granted an easement over the large BNSF train yard for a safer and easier connection from La Crosse to Onalaska. On june 11th, 2015, the City authorized the naming of the pedestrian bridge, the Bud Hendrickson Pedestrain Bridge...."

Wisconsin DNR Updates

Wisconsin DNR gears up for the Wisconsin State Fair
The 2015 Wisconsin State Fair kicks off next week in West Allis and the Department of Natural Resources has a lot of exciting things for the entire family to enjoy. -Read Full Article

 

Bonus antlerless deer permit sales begin Aug. 17
Bonus antlerless deer carcass tags are available for purchase starting Monday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Antlerless tags will be sold at a rate of one per person per day. Sales will continue until sold out or until the 2015 deer hunting season ends. -Read Full Article

 

Newton-Blackmour State Trail grand opening Aug. 2
The grand opening of a new state recreational trail -- the Newton Blackmour State Trail -- will be celebrated with a public event beginning at 1 p.m. on Aug. 2, at Lake Park in Shiocton. While nine miles of the trail were already open to the public, this event is to celebrate 14 additional miles recently developed. -Read Full Article

 

Put your deer observations to use with Operation Deer Watch
In an ongoing effort to include public input in deer management, and to effectively monitor and evaluate Wisconsin's deer herd, the Department of Natural Resources is continuing its annual citizen-science survey, Operation Deer Watch. -Read Full Article

 

Recently Introduced Legislation

If you are interested in legislation that is being introduced, the Wisconsin Legislative website posts bills as they are being introduced in the Senate and Assembly. Check it out and stay informed!  
                        
 

Calendar of Events

Date

Event

Location
August National Child Support Awareness Month Nationwide
8/6 Opening Ceremony for the New Bike/Pedestrian Bridge La Crosse
8/6-8/16 Wisconsin State Fair West Allis
8/6-8/8 People Fest Hillsboro
8/6-8/8 Country on the River Music Fest Prairie du Chien
8/7-8/9 Irish Fest La Crosse
8/8 Sparta Triathlon Sparta
8/13 Packers vs. Patriots Massachusetts
8/14-8/15 Hillsboro Charity Tractor Pull Hillsboro
8/14-8/16 Holmen Kornfest Holmen
8/15-8/16 Wild West Days Viroqua
8/16 The Flood of 1965 - 50th Anniversary Prairie du Chien
8/21-8/23 Leon Gatorfest Leon
8/22 Norskedalen Threshing Bee Coon Valley
8/23 Packers vs. Steelers Pennsylvania
8/29 Packers vs. Eagles Green Bay
8/26-/30 Crawford County Fair Gays Mills
9/3 Packers vs. Saints Green Bay
9/5 Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama Texas

 

I apologize if any upcoming events in the area were left off. If you would like me to include an event in future e-updates, please email me the date, location and a website with details.


Senator Jennifer Shilling
P.O. Box 7882 - Madison, WI 53707

phone: 608.266.5490   

email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov

 

 "like" me on Facebook      "follow" me on Twitter     visit my website

 

If you wish to stop receiving these emails, please reply to this email
with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.